Cheese Belts, Pizza Perfection & Cocktail Escapism
From a conveyor belt dedicated entirely to cheese (yes, really) to Italian spots worth traveling across the city for, these updates to my London Guide lean deliciously indulgent. Add in a standout Turkish restaurant just off Carnaby Street and one of London’s most reliably fun cocktail bars, and you’ve got five more reasons to keep eating and drinking your way around the city.
Hello from Riga! This was my very first time in Latvia, and also my first time in Riga, so choosing the right hotel felt especially important. After a smooth arrival, I checked into the AC Hotel by Marriott Riga, a centrally located property that is part of the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio. From the moment I arrived, the experience set a positive tone for my stay.
The check-in process was warm and welcoming, and the staff immediately made me feel at ease. That first impression matters, especially when you are arriving in a new country for the first time, and it is something this hotel does very well.
Boston’s restaurant and hotel scene never sits still, and neither do I. I’m back with a fresh round of additions to my Boston Guide, including two hotels I’ve now reviewed in depth (hello, Back Bay chic and Seaport efficiency), plus a few meals that were so good I’m still thinking about them on the flight home.
If you’re planning a Boston trip and want a mix of treat-yourself spots and practical, well-located stays, this update is for you.
I didn’t expect 2025 to begin surrounded by half-dressed people on the London Underground, yet there I was, unintentionally swept into the famous No Pants Tube Ride. Equal parts hilarious and mortifying, it turned out to be the perfect metaphor for the year ahead: unexpected, joyful, and a reminder not to take life quite so seriously.
Looking back now, 2025 wasn’t about ticking boxes or chasing milestones. It was about saying yes to moments, to people, to celebration, and to the kind of experiences that make a year feel full rather than fast.
Birthday Reflections on Growth, Joy, and Becoming More Myself
Birthdays have a funny way of inviting reflection. This past year stretched me, challenged me, and quietly changed me in ways I didn’t fully understand while I was in it. Some lessons arrived through big decisions, others through small, ordinary moments that only made sense in hindsight. Looking back now, here are the ten birthday reflections on what I’ve learned this year, shared with the goal of inspiring you to look back on your year, your wins, losses and opportunities for growth.
